Kent's mom looked around and shrugged her shoulders, "I had no idea you were a singer, Elly. You certainly never did it here. Not that I was eavesdropping or anything.” She cleared her throat softly before continuing, “You could set the table, if you'd like, dear."

I nodded and stepped to the counter where the dishes were already stacked. "Excuse me.” I grabbed the plates and silverware and smiled at Jen and Kent as I approached, I needed to get past them to set the table.

Kent moved Jen so I could squeeze by them. Just before I got passed I felt his hand on my arm and he pulled me into an awkward group hug. It was a bit weird being a threesome that way. It would be weird to be a threesome any way.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Elly,” Kent said with a smile.

I winced as the plates and silverware smooshed between us and tried to stamp down my anger at his chicanery. "Happy Thanksgiving to you too. Now let me go so we can eat, I'm starving!" I forced a grin that I wasn’t anywhere near feeling and pulled away. My traitorous knees quaked slightly at his touch, which, I thought as I walked away, was completely ridiculous! I was losing it. Ever since losing it I was even more aware of men and that included my off-limits friend.

As I was setting the table my thoughts turned briefly to Nate. It turned out I hadn’t needed Kent’s opinion of him after all. Two nights ago I’d asked him to come with me for my family Thanksgiving. He said he’d give me an answer the following evening. The answer had turned out to be a song he’d written for me called, “Let Her Go.” I cried well into early that morning. I was still raw with emotion from the break up and I was sure that’s why I was feeling all these things for Kent. It was transference or something.

After setting the table, I went out back to the swing that faced the garden and tall trees in Kent's backyard. I sat down and crossed my arms over my chest, getting some fresh crisp air, hoping it would calm down my raging libido and equally raging anger.

It wasn't long before I heard the back door open and the leaves crunch under someone’s approaching feet. My tingling body told me it was Kent. And that only made me angrier.

"You alright, Elly?" Kent asked. I moved over as much as I could so he wouldn't be touching me as he took a seat beside me. “You seem…out of it tonight."

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just going through some stuff that I can't really talk to you about. And I’m pissed at you. I can’t believe you told her. I…”